Patrick McGoohan as Longshanks King Edward I in the blockbuster Braveheart

The actor who once turned down the rolls of James Bond and the Saint but later went on to become one of the UK’s highest paid stars, has died at the age of 80.

McGoohan made his name with Danger Man, a TV spy drama that was first broadcast in the UK from 1960 to 1968. He played secret agent John Drake, who worked mainly for NATO but often questioned the ethics of his missions. Photograph: Everett Collection/Rex Features

British actor /director /writer Patrick McGoohan, who oddly enough, was born in the US, raised in Ireland and played Number Six in the cult TV series “The Prisoner,” died Tuesday January 13 2009, in Los Angeles after a short illness according to his son-in-law, film producer Cleve Landsberg.

Who is Number One? You are Number Six. I am not a number!

Famous for his portrayal of the unnamed secret agent known only as Number Six, a character that would ultimately imprison McGoohan, due to type casting, is about a secret agent who resigns his commission suddenly and wakes up to find himself in a prison disguised as a holiday resort known euphemistically as The Village.

Portmeirion is a village in Wales, built by architect Clough Williams-Ellis. He wanted to build a place designed in harmony with the surrounding landscape. Built in 2 phases, with a delay caused by the WWII. Now a private resort open to visitors. Location of the British TV series "The Prisioner," filmed there in the 60's.

Following the success of Danger Man, McGoohan and George Markstein created The Prisoner, an innovative, surreal series blending elements of spy novels, sci-fi and psychological thrillers. Originally screened in 1967-68, the show did not attract big ratings but has influenced TV directors and film-makers. Photograph: ITV/Rex Features

Raised to Cult status.

The cult of The Prisioner spawned many books, college courses, a quarterly magazine and documentaries.